Rangers

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Derek McInnes helmed the most effective set-pieces team in the Premiership last season. His Hearts side scored the most (29 goals, joint with Rangers), created the most chances and conceded the fewest goals from dead balls.

So, with McInnes having swapped Tynecastle for Ibrox in the summer, how is Rangers' set-piece prowess now shaping up?

With just seven league matches played it is a small sample size, but let's dig into the data.

First off, Rangers have scored just two goals from set-plays - only Kilmarnock and Falkirk have netted fewer.

That appears to be part of Rangers' broader lack of ruthlessness as they have only scored eight goals overall and have the lowest shot conversion rate (5.59%) in the Premiership despite racking up the most shots (143).

McInnes' men clearly aren't making the most of their set-piece opportunities. Their 14 chances from dead-ball situations is a joint high with Dundee United, while their xG of 3.58 is second only to the Tannadice side.

Also, Rangers have had 52 corners - third most in the league - while 46 of those have been played directly in the box, a Premiership high. However, just three times have Rangers had first contact from a set-piece, a tally lower than only Kilmarnock and Celtic.

At the other end, Rangers are proving pretty obdurate. They have conceded just once from a set-piece - the best record in the division - and their 33 corners conceded is bettered only by Hearts and Celtic.

So, the aim for the Ibrox side side will be to maintain that defensive sturdiness and improve their effectiveness from deliveries in the opposition box.

As the extended international break continues, we want to hear your thoughts on Rangers' opening seven games in the Scottish Premiership.

Derek McInnes' side signed off before the hiatus by following up their League Cup win over Celtic with another Old Firm derby success to move two points off the top.

After a difficult start under the former Hearts boss - in which Rangers crashed out of both the Europa League and Conference League - things seem to be settling at Ibrox.

How do you rate Rangers' start to the season and why? And what should McInnes be focusing on during the extended break?

Let us know your views here.

Rangers forward Ryan Naderi, 23, is expected to make his Czech Republic debut next week after overcoming passport issues. (Sun, external)

Ronald Hernandez urges Venezuela team-mate Kevin Kelsy, of Rangers, to "keep his strengths going forward" and expects the 22-year-old to do his best work in the box. (Record - subscription required, external)

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin, 25, is keen to stay with Rangers after being linked with a summer move. (Football Insider, external)

Meanwhile, Rangers could re-ignite their interest in Djurgarden winger Oskar Fallenius, 24, whose contract expires on 31 December. (TeamTalk, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Kosta Nedeljkovic is wanted by foreign clubs with the 20-year-old Serbia right-back still not a regular starter for Rangers since his summer loan transfer from Aston Villa. (Mondo, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya continued his impressive start to the campaign by helping keep prolific Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy quiet as South Africa defeated Guinea in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

In just his second cap for his nation, the centre-back played the entirety of Saturday's 2-1 victory, completing more passes than any other player and winning three of his four duels.

The Guinean attack was led by Dortmund's Guirassy, whose four goals in six games for his club this term contribute to a total of 64 in 102 appearances overall for the Bundesliga side.

South Africa boss Pitso Mosimane hailed the display of Makhanya, who has arguably been Rangers' standout summer signing, and praised how well he dealt with a top-level opponent.

"Olwethu Makhanya was very good," the head coach said, external. "He was up against a striker from Borussia Dortmund who is full of quality and he handled him very well."

The centre-back's eye-catching form continues as new data from the CIES Football Observatory suggests his value is now at £12m, just a few months after Rangers paid £3m to sign him from Philadelphia Union.

As Makhanya's status soars, fans of the Ibrox club will be hoping his stellar level is maintained as Derek McInnes' men aim to reel in wobbling league leaders Celtic.

Image source, SNS

New data from the CIES Football Observatory suggests Olwethu Makhanya is valued at £12m, a few months after Rangers paid £3m to sign the South Africa defender from Philadelphia Union. (Football Insider, external)

Image source, SNS

Former Rangers starlet Lewis Macleod is hoping to help the current crop of Ibrox youngsters make it big.

McLeod burst on to the scene as a talented teenager in 2012, featuring prominently as the Glasgow giants scaled back up the the leagues.

He would eventually be sold to Brentford, before a persistent knee injury eventually led to his retirement in 2021.

However, now back at Rangers as an academy coach, he said: "There's a number of players in the academy just now you could look at and be hopeful they can go on and have careers at Rangers, and in professional football in general.

"It's up to us as coaches and staff to give them the best platform we can, to keep them moving in the right direction.

"Whether that's loans or whatever it may be, we will get them that experience they need to develop."

Macleod, who will feature for Rangers at next weekend's Tennent's Sixes tournament, added: "Ian Durrant, who is part of the Tennent's Sixes, was a massive help for me.

"Not just because I looked up to him growing up as a Rangers fan, we played in the same position.

"So he was always helpful in terms of information, whether it be in football or outside of football. Just looking after yourself."

Rangers goalkeeper Rydnn McGuire turned down offers from English clubs before signing a three-year contract as the 17-year-old sees a pathway to the first team at Ibrox. (Rangers Review, external)

Former Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo has joined Hibernian at their training camp in La Manga as the 26-year-old Wales international looks to win a contract after his summer release by Brann. (Daily Record, external)

Bobby Williamson admits his application to be the new Scotland head coach was not realistic despite Ally McCoist, Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson agreeing to be assistants, especially as his European coaching licence lapsed 10 years ago, but suggests his record of leading Kilmarnock to a Scottish Cup win and four regional titles with Uganda is "not a bad career". (The Scotsman, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip in full.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Former Rangers captain and interim manager has spoken about the "true leader" he believes Dan Neil can be for the Ibrox club.

Ferguson spoke to the former Sunderland captain and his father as part of his role as Rangers ambassador when the Glasgow club were looked to bring in the 24-year-old.

Neil has been a recent standout for Rangers, particularly in the back-to-back wins over Celtic.

"I had a good chat with him and his old man when Rangers were interested in him," said Ferguson, who will manage Rangers in the upcoming Tennent's Sixes.

"I came away so impressed by him. He was so eager to come to Rangers. I know there were a number of clubs after him, and Rangers did brilliantly to get him.

"It's always difficult when you don't have a good start, but it shows you how strong a character he is. He's come through that period and over the last couple of weeks, I think he became a real leader for the Rangers team."

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A Scotland call-up features on James Penrice's "bucket list", but the defender is focusing on maintaining his impressive Rangers form after missing out on a place in national boss Sebastien Pocognoli's first squad.

Penrice, 27, has become a key figure in Derek McInnes' team since joining on loan from AEK Athens in the summer.

However, he was overlooked by Pocognoli for the upcoming Nations League games against Slovenia (twice), Switzerland and North Macedonia, even though Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney subsequently withdrew with injury, along with midfielder Kenny McLean.

Asked prior to Sunday's 1-0 league win over Celtic at Parkhead, which took Rangers within two points of the league leaders, if there was any expectation of being included in Pocognoli's initial squad, Penrice said: "No, for me I was kind of focusing on just coming back here and trying to enjoy football.

"It's been a mental couple of weeks, so Scotland hasn't really taken up my focus.

"But for me, obviously, I would love to play with Scotland. It would be a bucket list item to tick off.

"It's something everybody dreams of, playing for their country. If I got the chance to do that one day, I'd be buzzing.

"For me, now it's about focusing on Rangers. But if in the future it comes up, then I'd absolutely be delighted.

"If Scotland comes, it comes. If my performances are as good as I want them to be, then hopefully in the future I get a chance to play for my country.

"But at the same time, yes, definitely, a massive club like Rangers should have a team full of internationals.

"Obviously, I want to join that and I want to play for my country. So, hopefully in the future."

Penrice was brought to Ibrox to be provide competition for left-back Tuur Rommens, who has just recently recovered from a groin injury that has kept him out since August 9.

The former Partick Thistle, Livingston and Hearts player is ready to battle with the Belgian to keep his place when domestic football returns.

Penrice said: "Obviously Tuur has come back. I watched a lot of games last year and you could see that Tuur is a very good player.

"So that can only help the squad. Competition in every position is vital and I think you've seen that these last few weeks.

"The boys are fighting and scratching to try and get their name on the teamsheet. So it can only help Rangers. That's the way I see it."

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Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin says he was "mentally ready to leave" Rangers right up until the last few hours of the transfer window but insists it was "beyond my control and that of the club". (Sporza and HLN via Scottish Sun, external)

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Probably the last thing Derek McInnes would have wanted right now was a three-week hiatus between games.

Momentum is a massive factor in football and Rangers had begun to build up plenty of it following back-to-back victories over Celtic, the second of which put them just two points behind their fierce rivals at the top of the Premiership.

Now, with the international break upon us, McInnes will lose several players from training for the best part of a fortnight and he will hope the squad is able to pick up where it left off when it regroups before the home game against Kilmarnock on 10 October.

It gives McInnes plenty of opportunity to reflect on what has begun to work for his side. The two masterclasses against Celtic were, by some distance, their most impressive performances under the new manager.

He will know, though, they are far from the finished article and McInnes was rightly at pains to point out Sunday's win at Celtic Park ultimately yielded only three points in a campaign that is sure to have numerous twists and turns before any silverware is dished out.

But equally, he acknowledged how important those three points were. Had the game gone the other way, an eight-point lead for Celtic would have looked daunting and any feelgood factor engendered by the previous weekend's League Cup triumph would have all but evaporated.

Instead, Rangers know they will go top of the table by beating Kilmarnock in their next game, with Celtic on a three-match losing streak and facing a trip to Motherwell the following day.

This is all in stark contrast to the scenario just a few weeks ago and McInnes deserves a lot of credit for turning things round. His side has gone from a team that looked uncoached to one that knows its individual roles inside out and collectively looks hungry and sharp.

There is clearly still work to be done before supporters can get too carried away, but there are certainly signs of better things to come.

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Defender Clinton Nsiala has left Rangers to join Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates for an undisclosed fee.

Frenchman Nsiala, 22, moved to Ibrox in summer 2024 under Philippe Clement but last featured in January this year.

Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Belgian side Westerlo, Nsiala leaves Rangers after 17 appearances, scoring once.

He has signed a two-year deal with Sharjah, who are currently seventh in the UAE Pro League.

Celtic and Rangers are among a long list of clubs keen on a January loan move for Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman, who turns 17 on 31 December. (TeamTalk, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Defender Olwethu Makhanya has warned there's more to come from resurgent Rangers once they learn to be clinical.

The Ibrox side have recovered from a poor start to Derek McInnes' reign by winning six straight games, including rare back-to-back derby wins over Celtic in the League Cup and Premiership respectively.

McInnes' men have conceded just one goal during their winning run, but four of the victories have been a single goal. And while Rangers have had the most shots in the Premiership this season - 143 - their conversion rate of 5.6% is the lowest in the division.

South Africa centre-back Makhanya, who signed in the summer from MLS side Philadelphia Union on a four-year deal, was a colossus in Sunday's 3-0 victory at Celtic Park.

"I definitely feel there's more to come from this team," he said.

"The importance of clean sheets, this is a conversation we always have with our attacking players that, you know what, we're going to do a job in the back and we trust you guys to create and score chances.

"And over the few games, we've created chances, taking some and not able to take some. So we are just hoping that, as time goes on, we will get more clinical.

"It's going to be really important for us to stay together.

"And it's something that we've been working very hard on as a team, spending more time together, understanding each other, and I think it shows in the games, the willingness to fight, and we trust each other."

Makhanya, while not downplaying consecutive wins over Celtic, insists there is a long way to go before it becomes more significant.

He said: "It's a really good feeling. Going there, we knew it was going to be a difficult game, especially after last week.

"We had to be 100% focused from the start, and that's exactly what we did there. It's a really long season, so we're just taking one game at a time. It's been a good run, but there's more work to do."

Makhanya praised the huge contingent of Rangers fans who turned up at Ibrox early on Sunday morning to cheer their team on their way to Parkhead.

He said: "As soon as we came out of Ibrox, there was fans outside. I don't want to lie, when I saw them cheering and all that, it really fired us up."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

What an outstanding week. From a 3-0 cup victory at Ibrox to silencing 60,000 at Parkhead with another impressive win.

We had been told it would be a completely different game. It was different all right.

Rangers lined up with the same personnel and shape, while Celtic changed it up as Martin O'Neill went back to the early 2000s with an initial 3-5-2 - but the quality of player is just not there.

Rangers look well drilled, disciplined, physically imposing and much better than their rivals.

It was a good team performance yet again with strong individual performances: Olwethu Makanhya, Dujon Sterling, Nicolas Raskin, Dan Neil and Ryan Naderi, who carried on in the same manner as last week - his winning goal was a great finish.

The xG disparity - Rangers' 1.3 compared to 0.7 for Celtic - further emphasises the dominance. We had eight shots on target, Celtic mustered only one.

As games at Parkhead go it's as comfortable as it will get.

Derek McInnes deserves a lot of credit; two massive wins in a week and he has the side looking like a Rangers team should be.

We've come a long way in six games. But we are still two points behind and it's only one game. We have to tap into this momentum and be right on it when the football starts again in October.